Ron Hutchcraft Ministries - Deadly Side Effects - #8376

Thursday, October 8, 2009

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I got to laugh at some of those drug commercials on TV. They'll spend about 20 seconds telling you all the wonderful things their product will do for you, and the other 40 seconds telling you all the awful things it could do to you. First, "you'll feel so much better," then, "may cause hair to fall out, teeth to decay, or a lung to collapse; side effects may include hearing loss, brittle bones, nervous breakdown, or sudden death." They don't want to tell you that stuff; they have to tell you. It's a truth-in-advertising law.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft, and I got to thinking, "What if sin was required to provide 'truth-in-advertising'?" Sin always advertises the fun, or fulfillment, or escape, or advantage it will give you. But it never tells you the damage it will do. Thankfully, God does, all through His Word, the Bible. King David committed adultery with the wife of one of his trusted soldiers: sin just advertised as a night of pleasure. Here's what wasn't in the ad - "My bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer" (Psalm 32:3-4 ). Mental and physical pain, the heavy hand of God on him, strength drained. God says, "Sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death" (James 1:15 ).

If sin advertised truthfully, it would tell us: "Side effects include guilty conscience, loss of self-respect, loss of trust, loss of peace, lost closeness to God, hurt to those who love you, and the judgment of Almighty God." Translation: sin can never be worth the price.

This radio program references: Psalm 32:3-4 ; James 1:15